Recent content by Twindad

Thank you all! Holy smokes! What a fantastic resource this community is--I thank each and every one of you. I learn so much when I get a chance to peruse posts, and this was no exception. Jeffrey--great to know that the shells on the E6 units can be worked--thanks for sharing your experience...

Thanks for the quick reply, Russ. I don 't think I articulated myself well--I was wondering if, in the event I buy the E6 powered A/dummyB set, the P2k E6 B shell would fit over the P2k E6 A chassis, thus making it a powered b-unit. And, subsequently, would this b-unit look ok coupled onto the...

I would greatly appreciate any insights! Last year, for Christmas, one of my kids was given a P1k Erie-Built Santa Fe A-unit. He LOVES it! Which is great...and now the top thing on his list for Santa is a powered B-unit to go with it, which is quite a challenge to find. Ideally, I'd like to...

Thanks so much for all the great info and the links. This forum truly has been a phenomenal resource! Russ, you're right about the pickups in the tender being on the opposite side as the loco. As far as decoders, at this stage, I think basic dcc operation is all we need. I see what you mean...

Attached are pictures of a few engines I recently bought at a fire sale. I was wondering if anyone could tell me who makes them, what type of engines they are, and what would be appropriate decoders for them. (If they're junk that's going to give me headaches, that would be useful to know too!)...

Trevor, Kurt--thanks tons, guys! I got the shell off the way you described, Trevor, lifting the cab off first. Wow, there is no room in there...gives me pause as far as trying to install a decoder in there (I've already installed 2 decoders in other older engines of mine, but this one takes...

I recently bought a terrific Atlas S-2 locomotive from a collector. I don't have the box or any papers for it, but it's heavy as all heck and it says "made in Austria" on the bottom, if that's any indicator (?). There are two things I need to do to it: 1) put in a decoder (probably an...

Thank you Fred, Gus and David for your helpful perspectives. I think I'll take Fred's advice and cross my fingers. Anecdotally, at least, it seems like the odds are pretty good that they should work OK. Denyons--Fred's description is right on. Some specific visual cues: the newer versions...

Hi everyone, I am going to risk asking a stupid question: if one is using old Shinohara turnouts, and wants to wire for DCC, is all the turnout surgery really necessary (such as on the Wiring for DCC website)? I've searched and found posts that show people doing varying degrees of rail...

Just wanted to update you on some track plan changes so far. All thoughts are always welcome! The latest drawing is attached below. I've added 2 passing sidings, and on the right side, have taken out the elevated spur (the blue tracks are ~4" above base foam), and instead routed a passenger...

Russ--Great stuff to keep in mind--thanks! Don't feel like having fragile/expensive things take a dive. More importantly, I don't want the kids too nervous to touch anything! We really have grown attached to the shape of Nazgul's design, which we can't do much justice given our space...

Thanks Fred. Thanks Triplex. Thanks Russ. All great thoughts and suggestions, giving us plenty to think about. While I can't address everything you 3 raised right now, I can hit a few spots: Fred: Your #2: It doesn't have to be so that both boys can operate completely without getting in...

Thanks for your reply, Jim. The layout will be accessible on all sides. Steve

Hi Gauge members, First post, so please forgive all the lengthy exposition! While visiting my parents over the holidays, I dismantled my old 4x8 HO layout, packed it up in boxes and brought it back to CA to give to my 8-year-old sons (hence the handle). I have been reading tons of postings on...